Capt. Sully Supports Collective Bargaining Rights, Says "People Will Die" Without Better Airline Safety Standards

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Surely you remember Cpt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger? He's the now-retired US Airways pilot who in 2009 famously landed an airplane carrying 155 people in the Hudson River, mere feet from midtown Manhattan. After that unbelievable spectacle (and the media blitz that followed), I didn't think Sully could get any more likable -- but he has proven me wrong. An admired airline safety expert, Sully is now speaking out not only for more stringent safety standards but also for the labor rights of pilots, including their right to collective bargaining. Swoon.

Sully appeared on the Ed Show last night to discuss some of the odious provisions of a new FAA bill. According to the captain, "people will die" as a result of loosened safety standards and decreased regulation on the airline industry. "Special interests are focused only on the bottom line and are lobbying extensively for this amendment," Sully said, adding that as a "proud union member for over 30 years" he is also "very concerned about the labor aspects of the bill."

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/545907/%22miracle_on_the_hudson%22_pilot_supports_collective_bargaining_rights,_says_%22people_will_die%22_without_better_airline_safety_standards/

[Obama 2012 1,714]

When it comes to Airlines, I've said it before and I'll say it again,

When the airline is losing money, the unions lose all credibility in demanding more, more, more...

When the airline is making money however, ask for more all you want...

Unions members does not equal 'safety' however, no matter which way you want to try and twist it.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0725/p01s03-usec.html

Two American Airlines mechanics didn't like having to toss out $200 drill bits once they got dull. So they rigged up some old machine parts - a vacuum-cleaner belt and a motor from a science project - and built "Thumping Ralph." It's essentially a drill-bit sharpener that allows them to get more use out of each bit. The savings, according to the company: as much as $300,000 a year.

And it was a group of pilots who realized that they could taxi just as safely with one engine as with two. That was instituted as policy has helped cut American's fuel consumption even as prices have continued to rise to record levels.

From the maintenance floor to the cockpit, American Airlines is daily scouring operations to increase efficiency and find even the smallest cost savings. It's paid off: Last week, the company announced its first profit in almost five years.

While the other so-called legacy carriers are also slashing labor costs and increasing efficiency in an effort to compete with successful low-cost airlines, American has been the most aggressive in emulating the positive employee relations of low-cost rivals. Indeed, when American's management intensified its cost-saving efforts, it didn't turn to high-priced outside consultants. Rather, it asked its employees, since they do their jobs day in and out and know them probably better than anyone else.

Two years ago, American was dodging bankruptcy, and labor strife hit a peak after unions voted to accept steep pay cuts, only to find out that management had given itself big bonuses and protected their pension plans from creditors in the case of bankruptcy. Unions were livid and temporarily suspended approval of the givebacks.

Edited April 1, 2011 by Why_Me

[Zero Sum 305]

Surely you remember Cpt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger? He's the now-retired US Airways pilot who in 2009 famously landed an airplane carrying 155 people in the Hudson River, mere feet from midtown Manhattan. After that unbelievable spectacle (and the media blitz that followed), I didn't think Sully could get any more likable -- but he has proven me wrong. An admired airline safety expert, Sully is now speaking out not only for more stringent safety standards but also for the labor rights of pilots, including their right to collective bargaining. Swoon.

Sully appeared on the Ed Show last night to discuss some of the odious provisions of a new FAA bill. According to the captain, "people will die" as a result of loosened safety standards and decreased regulation on the airline industry. "Special interests are focused only on the bottom line and are lobbying extensively for this amendment," Sully said, adding that as a "proud union member for over 30 years" he is also "very concerned about the labor aspects of the bill."

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/545907/%22miracle_on_the_hudson%22_pilot_supports_collective_bargaining_rights,_says_%22people_will_die%22_without_better_airline_safety_standards/

He is presenting a balanced viewpoint. Would you like to post the key safety components of the new FAA bill?

I do find it interesting some demonize unions while they fight not just for more money- but for safe working conditions AND better safety standards, because its obvious a safe airline is one whose employees are doing things right.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

He is presenting a balanced viewpoint. Would you like to post the key safety components of the new FAA bill?

I do find it interesting some demonize unions while they fight not just for more money- but for safe working conditions AND better safety standards, because its obvious a safe airline is one whose employees are doing things right.

Usually the only peeps that are "anti union" are business owners and rat bast@rds who haven't ever worked in a union.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

Usually the only peeps that are "anti union" are business owners and rat bast@rds who haven't ever worked in a union.

Or people like me that have worked for unions more than half of my working life and know just how crooked they really are. The unions are concerned with only one thing, themselves. They don't give a damn about the workers or the company they work with. Screw the unions, they should be outlawed.

[Zero Sum 305]

When we generalize we fail.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Or people like me that have worked for unions more than half of my working life and know just how crooked they really are. The unions are concerned with only one thing, themselves. They don't give a damn about the workers or the company they work with. Screw the unions, they should be outlawed.

So what union(s) were you in ? Like what trade ?

[JohnSmith2007 353]

So what union(s) were you in ? Like what trade ?

I was in the IBEW for 4 years, the CWA for 6 years and the NEA for 5 years. All were either communication, electronics or building trades. I wouldn't give you a nickle for any of them.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I was in the IBEW for 4 years, the CWA for 6 years and the NEA for 5 years. All were either communication, electronics or building trades. I wouldn't give you a nickle for any of them.

The IBEW up here is a good union with hands that know their trade. They do have joke about that union here though...IBEW = I Be out of work Every Winter.

Of course that goes for most of the trades up here.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

The IBEW up here is a good union with hands that know their trade. They do have joke about that union here though...IBEW = I Be out of work Every Winter.

Of course that goes for most of the trades up here.

The IBEW is the one I have the least gripe with. The CWA on the other hand is full of crooks. I was a member of the NEA when I worked for a school district as an electrician. They were the worst of all. We had a meeting one day. They handed out an instruction book for who we were suppost to vote for in the upcoming election. They also said that most of our dues was going to these re-election campaigns. I didn't want any of those guys to get elected and I didn't like the idea of my dues going to there camps. We had the right by law to ask for a return of the portion of our dues that went to political funds. I asked for mind back. I ended up with two very large union officials meeting me at work the next week. I felt very much threatend by them but I stood my ground and continued with my request. I got my money back but 2 months later my position was "no longer needed" and I was let go. A month later they found that they did need an electrician and hired someone else. I thought about suing but decided it was better to just move on and find a non union job. I haven't been back to a union job since.

[Zero Sum 305]

The IBEW is the one I have the least gripe with. The CWA on the other hand is full of crooks. I was a member of the NEA when I worked for a school district as an electrician. They were the worst of all. We had a meeting one day. They handed out an instruction book for who we were suppost to vote for in the upcoming election. They also said that most of our dues was going to these re-election campaigns. I didn't want any of those guys to get elected and I didn't like the idea of my dues going to there camps. We had the right by law to ask for a return of the portion of our dues that went to political funds. I asked for mind back. I ended up with two very large union officials meeting me at work the next week. I felt very much threatend by them but I stood my ground and continued with my request. I got my money back but 2 months later my position was "no longer needed" and I was let go. A month later they found that they did need an electrician and hired someone else. I thought about suing but decided it was better to just move on and find a non union job. I haven't been back to a union job since.

You should have sued and exposed those rat badasztards.

When people don't do anything about these abuses, its like they never happened.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

You should have sued and exposed those rat badasztards.

When people don't do anything about these abuses, its like they never happened.

and they'll never have another union job again as word gets around. the union people i know were called before the presidential voting day and told who to vote for.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

and they'll never have another union job again as word gets around. the union people i know were called before the presidential voting day and told who to vote for.

Sad but true. There's a "black ball" book for peeps who cross the line so to say...in unions eyes anyways. Iv'e gotten jobs when I was towards the bottom of the list with box seats for the Seahawks vs Raiders and I threw in a bottle of Crown and a gift certificate for Red Lobster. It's all how you play the game. When your making that kind of money you don't ask questions, you just conform.

I can remember when the Seattle local voted to get their local back from the International. When it came time to vote for the union officials it was limo's and guns. They brought some heavy weights in from the east coast and we reciprocated with our own. Again it's all part of the game. As long as I'm getting a pay check....

[JohnSmith2007 353]

and they'll never have another union job again as word gets around. the union people i know were called before the presidential voting day and told who to vote for.

I was told that my days in a union, the NEA at least, were over. If I could not support their candidates for office then I should at least keep my mouth shut and let them take my dues. I told them what they could do with their candidates and I really thought those two goons were going to work me over. I wasn't surprised when I found out my job had been eliminated. I did get the idea that if I tried to sue that my problems may get worse. For the sake of my 3 kids in school I just let it drop.

I know there was a time a few years later that I was assulted by union types. That one did go to the courts. I was working for a company that installed machinery in factories. We were not union but the first few days we were left alone by the UAW types. They were having a labor contract negotiations while we were there. We didn't know it but one morning we were going into the plant to work and I guess they went out on strike. We called our boss when we saw the picket lines and were told we had no choice, our contract with the company would not allow us to wait until the dispute was over, so we drove past the picket lines. We had rocks, eggs, soda cans and everything else you can think of thrown at us. One of the rocks broke the window next to me and I ended up cut from it. It wasn't bad enough to warrant a doctor visit so we went in and worked the day. When we got done we went out to the van and found it spray painted with the words "scabs will die". We also found the tires slashed and the brake lines cut. We called the cops but of course no one saw a thing. Our boss sued the unions and they did pay for the damages but we never went back to that plant again.

I come by my hatred of unions honestly. It isn't partisan. IMO unions are filled with self serving crooks that use thugs as enforcers. They can all go to hell as far as I am concerned.